OKARITO NOTES

Grey River Argus, 10 November 1944, Page 8

OKARITO NOTES

(Our Own Correspondent]. Good weather has been experienced at Okarito for the past week and the pastures are all nice and -green. Mr A. Barrett, who met with a lorry accident, has been discharged from the hospital, and has been home for the past fortnight, having now quite recovered. Dr. Falla, of the Canterbury Museum, and Mr King (Commissioner of Crown Lands, Hokitika), have been in Okarito for a few days checking up the habits of the white heron. Dr. Falla obtained quite a lot of information, and was pleased with his trip. He has taken moving pictures of the herons nesting and feeding their young. He discovered 21 young herons and 12 large ones. This is a record hatch for the herons. If West Coasters are lucky they may have the pleasure of seeing the ‘‘movie” in their local theatres at a later date. Okarito is the only place in New Zealand where the white heron breeds. A ranger has been engaged to protect the birds. Visitors to Okarito recently have included Mrs Condon, Mr A. Purcell (Waiho), Mr and Mrs G. Friend (Greymouth). and Mrs- Taylor (Christchurch). Mr N. Friend is visiting Hokitika. Mr J'. Donovan is visiting Hokitika on County Council business.